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Programme for the International Pulp & Beyond 2026 Conference Published
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Programme for the International Pulp & Beyond 2026 Conference Published

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The conference of Pulp & Beyond 2026, Northern Europe’s leading international forest industry event, will bring together hundreds of decision-makers and influencers from around the world at Messukeskus Helsinki on 14 April 2026. The programme for the three-part conference has now been published. Throughout the day, nearly 50 presentations will be delivered by global experts on topics such as future mills, new technologies driving circularity and carbon neutrality, and innovative wood-based products.

AI and Transformation at the Heart of the Opening Session

The opening addresses will feature Tuuli Koivu, Chief Economist at Nordea, outlining the direction of the global economy amid uncertainty; Mala Valroy, Investment Manager at Sweden’s Industrial Fund, exploring the opportunities AI brings to the pulp and paper industry; and Jussi Vanhanen, President and CEO of Metsä Group, sharing insights on leading transformation in the forest industry. The opening session will culminate in a panel discussion led by Anna Ståhle. The full programme is available at pulpandbeyond.com. The conference’s main partner is Valmet, with Sulzer as a partner.

“Now more than ever, the forest industry needs collaboration, bold actions and fresh innovations to support sustainable growth. Building a strong and sustainable future requires close dialogue between industry, research, start-ups and decision-makers. Pulp & Beyond offers a unique and timely platform for this dialogue, collaboration and innovation – a place where expertise is shared, new partnerships are forged, and together we build a more sustainable and competitive future,” says Antti Lindqvist, Managing Director of the Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association.

Future Mills, Sustainable Technologies, Circular Economy and Textile Fibre Revolution

After the opening session, participants can choose between three programme tracks and hear inspiring and topical presentations on the latest industry trends, along with practical examples of innovations, processes and investments:

  • Factory of the Future – Focused on AI, improving efficiency and competitiveness through future energy solutions, and lessons learned from major investment projects. Speakers include Tyron Vardy (ABB Process Industries), Marjo Santanen (Billerud), Lari-Matti Kuvaja (Valmet), Felix Hiller (Palm Gruppe), Matti Lielahti (Stora Enso) and Olli Härkönen (Essity).
  • Novel future technologies towards circularity and lower emissions – Exploring technologies leading the forest industry towards carbon neutrality, increasing yield and value through lignin refining, and sustainable growth by utilising industry side streams. Speakers include Kaija-Pehu Lehtonen (Metsä Group), Becky Gardiner (Svante Technologies), Viktor Odenbrink (Södra), Francisco Razzolini (Klabin), Sampo Lahtinen (Kemira) and Petri Oinonen (Ecohelix).
  • New innovative wood-based products – Covering sustainable packaging innovations and the Nordic Textile Fibre Day, conducted in collaboration with Valmet, Kemira and VTT, addressing accelerating textile fibre growth and promoting textile lifecycle circularity. Speakers include Julie Gannon (Smurfit WestRock), Michael Strobl (MM Group), Niklas von Weymarn (Metsä Spring), Jonatan Janmark (Circulose), Mikko Lassila (UPM) and Lutz Walter (The European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing).

Pulp & Beyond – Northern Europe’s Leading Forest Industry Forum

Pulp & Beyond brings together the latest forest industry innovations, products, services and technologies, along with key industry players. The event offers new encounters, inspiration, networking and business opportunities for marketing global and sustainable solutions. It showcases the latest trends, supports learning and employer branding, and fosters competence development – with a strong emphasis on responsibility, efficiency and impact.

Ticket sales and registration are now open. By purchasing your conference and excursion tickets by 31 January 2026, you can take advantage of a 10% Early Bird discount. The conference ticket includes access to the exhibition.

The international Pulp & Beyond event will take place on 14–17 April 2026, comprising the conference on 14 April, the professional event and exhibition on 15–16 April, and excursions on 17 April to Kemira, SAPPI Kirkniemi, Stora Enso and ABB. Concurrently at Messukeskus Helsinki, Electricity 26, ChemBio Finland and the Helsinki Chemicals Forum will also be held.

Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre organises the Pulp & Beyond 2026 event in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association (PI).

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